German Reflector gun sights

[Gringo6]

Cockpit pictures of the German Me-109 show that the reflector gunsight is displaced to to the starboard side of the airplane. Photo's of US and British fighters show the sight mounted in the center. I don't remember about Italian and Japanese airplanes.

Am I wrong, but the German system would seem to make the pilot have to lean over to his right to sight thru the reflector sight wouldn't it ? Wouldn't this be uncomfortable when using shoulder straps and a parachute ?

I'm sure there is a reason for mounting the sight in this fashion but it escapes me.

Can someone out there explain it to me ?

 

[glh]

You would probably be interested in reading this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflector_sight

Here's a telling paragraph from the article (italics mine):

"Compared to standard telescopic sights, a reflector sight can be held at any distance from the eye (does not require a designed eye relief), and at almost any angle, without distorting the image of the target or reticle. They are often used with both eyes open (the brain will tend to automatically superimpose the illuminated reticle image coming from the dominant eye onto the other eye's unobstructed view), giving the shooter normal depth perception and full field of view. Since Reflector sights are not dependent on eye relief, they can theoretically be placed in any mechanically-convenient mounting position on a weapon.

I have not found any reference as to WHY the Germans placed it off to the right side. I can think of only two reasons for doing so:

1.) The sight was permanently placed on right side so as not to obstruct the pilot's forward view for takeoff/landing but still present the correct target picture in a combat situation.

2.) The sight was movable. If desired, it could be moved to the centerline of the aircraft by the pilot's hand and locked/screwed down into position prior to combat, provided the pilot had the time to do so. In an emergency, Nr. 1 above would HAVE TO apply.

I have not found any evidence whether Nr. 2 is true or not -- it's just an opinion from me. If it's not true, then Nr. 1 would seem the logical reason.

Remember, that sight is probably only 4-6 inches from the centerline so the pilot wouldn't lean but could just turn his head (and at almost any angle) and get the correct sight picture without distorting the image of the target or reticle.

 

[Allen]

This thread seem to talk about it.

http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/26683-german-sights/

 

[starbage1]

Could it be tilted toward the pilot on a swivel? Much like a GPS does?

 

[kelticheart]

Stereoscopical vision?

This thread seem to talk about it.

http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/26683-german-sights/

WOW!

I would have never imagined that. And to think that German scientists must had been aware of it in the 1930's!!!

They told airplane designers to take advantage of such a biological human feature back then, it's incredible. Italian cockpits from the M.C. 202 onwards were built just like that, with the San Giorgio reflector sight offset to the right.
It gives a better forward visibility for takeoffs and landings, already impaired by long-nosed taildraggers, yet the sight is right on target during dogfights.

I just uploaded a thumbnail for my Italian WWII gauge library, showing a splendid picture of a M.C. 202 cockpit. The gunsight is clearly offset.

Thank you Allen for this enlightening link.

Cheers!
KH